Based in Auckland, Emile Donovan is a South Islander at heart, having been raised in Christchurch and going on to study a BA in English and Music at the University of Otago in Dunedin.

He started at RNZ in 2016 as a reporter, before becoming a producer for Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan and The Panel with Jim Mora. He has now taken on the role as presenter for Nights since early 2024.